zapantastic

try running diagnostics on the video card. also try running diags on the LCD. if all ok, you might want to reinstall the os.

Assuming that your laptop's HDD is SATA, you can just take it out and plug it inside a desktop PC using the regular SATA data and power cable used by your desktop HDD.

These are great tips, I already use them, but I know many people who don't and then complain about lack of battery. Another great tip is not to start charging your battery until the batter is dead or almost dead, this will keep the battery reliable for longer periods of time. When you charge the batter from 50% many times then the lifespan of the battery is shortened alot quicker and you won't be able to use the battery as much.

This is true for Ni-CD/Ni-MH batteries but Li-Poly batts are not affected by that "memory effect".